A Massachusetts State Police trooper has been arrested as part of an FBI investigation into illegal gambling activities in the state, accused of making loans to a veteran gambler, then threatening to kill the man if the debts weren't repaid, according to a federal affidavit.

NewsCenter 5's Cheryl Fiandaca first reported Monday that Trooper John M. Analetto, a 19-year-veteran, was arrested on Trapelo Road in Belmont on Saturday.

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Analetto was introduced to the gambler, who had been engaged in illegal betting for 17 years, according to the affidavit released by the U.S. Attorney's Office Tuesday, placing bets with him before offering to loan the gambler money to pay off loan sharks who were owed money.

The trooper loaned the gambler $24,000 in exchange for a percentage of the gambling business, the affidavit said.

"In making the initial loan, Analetto threatened to kill (the gambler) if he/she did anything to affect (Analetto's) pension," the affidavit said.

He then offered to bring more bettors for a higher percentage of the profits, the affidavit said, and produced five more, asking for $500 a week in repayment of the loan plus 10 percent of the gambling profits. He raised the percentage to 15 percent, then dropped it to 12.5 percent, federal investigators said.

The gambler became a federal informant and was carrying a hidden video recording device when he met with Analetto a few days before Christmas to offer a $1,500 payment on the loan, the affidavit said.

Analetto threatened to kill the informant at that time if Analetto wasn't given more money, the affidavit said, and he was recorded making the threats.

The day after Christmas, the affidavit said, Analetto and the gambler had a phone conversation which was also recorded in which Analetto threatened to break into the house of a bettor who owed money, physically assault him and sexually assault the bettor's mother.

He also allegedly again threatened to kill the gambler, saying he would break into his house at night and kill him in his sleep, the affidavit said.

"The situation is not as it appears," said Daniel OMalley, Analetto's defense attorney. "When you hear the allegations you may come to certain conclusions and Im just saying its not as it appears at first blush."

On Dec. 30, according to the affidavit, the gambler met with Analetto again in order to give him $3,600 and the trooper became violent, head butting and slapping the gambler and demanding the phone number of a bettor who owed money.

Analetto told the gambler that he had a friend who "has been arrested three times for gambling, bookmaking and racketeering, and that he has not spent one day in jail," according to the affidavit.

"The FBI is worried about organized crime? No. They're worried about terrorist activities," Analetto said, according to the affidavit.

He then called the gambler who owed money, federal investigators said, and threatened him, saying if he didn't pay up some $3,800, "2012 isn't going to be too good for you." That conversation was also recorded.

Analetto, who worked out of the department's Brighton barracks, was relieved of duty Tuesday and suspended without pay.

Analettos actions as alleged in the federal complaint are beneath contempt. They are, as alleged, the actions of a criminal and street thug," said State Police Col. Marian McGovern. "The state troopers who serve with integrity and honesty are disgusted by them."